“I really didn’t expect to get the top grade in everything,” she said. “My ambition is to read Classics at university and then try and join the Foreign Office. I’ll definitely be celebrating with friends and family this evening.”

Poppy’s mum Frances was understandably moved by her daughter’s outstanding success.

“She’s been at Truro High since the age of six and we couldn’t have wished for better teaching,” she said. “The tutor system is particularly good because girls keep the same form tutor for five years and that helps give them the stability they need during the turbulent teenage years.”

“Josie has won a jumper off me because she said she liked it and I said I’d give it to her if she got 6 A*s,” said mum Peggy Endacott. “She’s done better than any of us expected and I’m thrilled for her.”

Headmistress Caroline Pascoe and her team of staff were on hand to share in all the general happiness and hugs.

“These occasions are always very emotional because a huge amount of effort goes into achieving results like these,” said Mrs Pascoe. “We want every girl to do her best and to see what a bit of hard work can accomplish. Satisfaction doesn’t come from just doing enough but from digging deep and finding talent and potential that might otherwise have been left undiscovered. That’s what we try and do at Truro High and looking around I know that our strategy pays off.”